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There are very few things about the military life that I passionately DETEST, however, three years ago a private housing management company, initials PMH, took over the military housing on post and I have come to harbor so much hate for them that I can’t drive past the office without anger building inside of me.

Today, I fought with then yet again …

I am in Houston, celebrating my birthday and hoping to visit my grandmother who had an accident last week and ended up in the hospital. Three year ago, and every year since then, we have listed my former neighbors on the key release. They moved last month, but left some of the Soldier’s gear in our garage to be turned in at the post. Since I was in Houston and they were on the key release, there was no issue … or so I thought. When he called, I told him about my grandmother’s accident, but said we had left them on the key release so he and his wife (WHO WAS A MANAGER THERE BEFORE THEY MOVED) could get the key. I called to verify and after checking the records, they seem to have LOST some of our paperwork. That right, we pay $1200 a month for a small two-bedroom apartment and they can’t even manage a filing system. So now, they will not let them in the house.

So I asked, if I go online to your secure web site and fill out the key release form AGAIN, can they get the key. The staff member asked me, “How can I be sure it’s you?”

Are you kidding me? Hundreds of family members fill out your stupid forms, place work orders and beg for your attention on this web site YOU CREATED each year and because I am telling you I am going to fill out the paperwork, suddenly you can’t verify I am who I say I am … AFTER YOU JUST READ ME INFO OFF OF MY FILE!!!

She said that if I fax her info with my signature (so she can verify again my file) and my husband’s SS#, then they can give them the key … but then after bringing it to her attention, she agrees that there is nothing in the file with my signature since my husband filled out the paperwork. Ummm … does this make sense to anyone, because it is totally lost on me.

This is not the first time that I have had run ins with the “logic” of this company. They have no regard for the families of deployed Soldiers.

For the last few weeks, since my neighbors left, I have been fighting with them to keep their outside lights on. Our doorways are 6x6 foot square alcoves and at night, there is no way to tell if there is something or someone there. Since my husband is deployed, this poses even more of a threat for me coming home at night. However, they said they are trying to conserve energy. So apparently, my safety is less valuable than four weeks of electricity.

Two weeks ago, I tried to change a light bulb in the bedroom over the bed and the glass part came out and the metal part stayed in. I couldn’t reach it standing on the bed and placing a chair on the bed while playing with electricity didn’t seem safe. So I called explained what was going on and asked if someone could stop by on their way home and fix it. No prob, five minutes right. Nope! They said to leave the light off and place a work order and it would be fixed in two to three days. Are you kidding me? How and I suppose to get ready for bed, or work? She said, “Don’t you have any lamps?” No I replied, we have a light fixture. “You could go buy one,” was the reply. You have got to be kidding me!

And I pay $1,200 a month for this abuse …

I hope they ask me to be in the discussion group next time they contemplate why families of deployed Soldiers are moving back home and not staying on post … I have a couple of guesses!

Until our next cup of tea ...

No regrets, looking toward the future ...

As I sit here, days away from my 30th birthday, with the sounds of SheDAISY's "Come Home Soon", playing in the background I reflect on the past and realize, I have no regrets.

Had you told me 15 years ago, that this is where I'd be today, I would have scoffed at it. My youthful plans for the future were nothing compared to my life today, but looking back, I know I've got the better deal.

I had asperations of being a career woman, never even considered marraige. Not that I had anything against it, but I was determined to rise above my humble childhood. Growing up in a family was 12 siblings, was at many times challenging. Not that I didn't love my siblings, but I tended to fade into the background most of the time. there were too many real issues, to worry about those of us without. Especially as the oldest girl, I was busy taking care of the younger ones. I was just looking forward to the future and a chance to discover the "me" that was buried.

I worked hard to get into college, and after earning my first degree in Chemistry, I transferred universities to follow a passion I had discovered, writing ... journalism to be exact. It was the summer before that I had met him.

Like many youth in Houston, I worked my way through college at Six Flag Houston. Eighteen hour days were my ticket to the future I had dreamed of. We switched to the same department the summer of 2000. At first, I didn't like him much. I thought he was a bit arrogant and too sure of himself, but if you know my husband, that probably wouldn't surprise you.

Friendship later turned into love, I think in large part to his friends at the ROTC. They assumed I was "George's girl", even "warning" a guy or two that I was talking to over those three years. But the more we got to know each other, the more we realized we had so many of the same goals for our future, that it only seemed natural to reach them side by side. It was us against the world ... and still is.

Had you told me 15 years ago that I would be sitting at home, waiting for a husband who was halfway around the world, fighting for the freedom of others, I would have laughed. Had you told me that we would be making plans for starting a family in the near future, I would have rolled my eyes. But had you told me that I would have discovered true happiness, saw my dreams come true and look to the future with excitement, I would have smiled with a sigh of accomplishment, happy that I had disovered the real me ... and it was all because of the husband I had never dreamed of.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Alone, but not lonely: Cherishing the silence

During the last deployment I had met many of military spouses who hated doing stuff alone. They were always looking for friends to join them from grocery shopping to lunches. I admit, even I had decided not to do some things when I was faced with going alone, but this deployment, that's all changed.

I'm learning to embrace this new freedom. Yesterday, on my way to go get groceries, I was really in the mood for some Mexican food. Since George left I haven't been out to eat, with the exception of when I was in Houston and lunch last week with a co-worker when we were brainstorming for a Brigade meeting. I decided that I would call for take-out when I finished shopping, but as I drove closer into town, the more Iwanted it. "Why should I have t owait until I'm finished, call for take-out, get it home and wait while I put away the perishables. I'm going now!'

Once decided I was like a kid making a decision at a candy store, I was so excited. Now, this is not my first time eating out alone. In fact, I do it often when I'm in Houston, but there is "feels" more acceptable. However, whether in a small town like here or in a metropolis like Houst, there are a few things I have learned to garner myself the best service.

First of all, dress the part. Hosting staff and service staff will treat you according to how you portray yourself. If you dress in sweat pants and T-shirts, you'll be put in the back and forgotten, because that is the image you portray. That does not mean however, that you have to dress to the nines like Carmela Soprano. I tend to wear a cute top, with jeans and ballet flats or low heels. It also gives you a sense of feeling more confident, which you will portray.

Now another thing that I have learned it to bring something with you to read. This is also the time to treat yourself to your favorite magazine or catch up on a book you've been trying to finish. I had checked the mail before I left and found an issue of Victoria (one of my favs) waiting for me and had considered stopping by a knick-knack store here called The Ivy Cottage, to get a copy of Tea Time, but they were closed. This will give you something to do while waiting for your food and after if you'd like to just sit and enjoy the moment of "you" before pickin up the kids, returning home to clean house, or whatever "life" activity awaits. I would say though, that you're reading material will portray to the waitstaff how to serve you. the "heavier" the reading material the less they will intrude, so you can't bring "War and Peace" then complain to management that they only refilled your glass once. My favorite is the sit by a window so I can people watch occasionally while reading and not disturb my neighbors with stares. This also gives the illusion that you are eating alone as your choice, not because no one wants to be your friend. I had a friend who would do this once a month and pay her bills. A good treat when you have to face this adult chore, but be mindful that you don't want to spread out all of your paperwork and risk spills or identity theft. She has a cute little bill keeper that she puts the envelopes and paystub after she files the actual bill. It's organized and quick.

When eating alone don't be afraid to ask for different seating if you are put in a location that you feel is unfavorable. There is a quaint Mexican restaurant in Houston that I love to sit by the window that faces a small garden, in another restaurant I love to sit with a view of the kitchen because I love to watch them make the Italian dishes. You just have to be mindful not to ask for a table that seats 8 when you are alone. Respect them, and they will respect you.

Lastly, enjoy yourself. Try something new. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the food and atmosphere. Don't feel sorry for yourself. Enjoy the freedom of being able to do what you want ... get dessert!

All in all, I'm learning to enjoy spending time with me. I'm a cool chick, I have fun with myself. SOmetimes I use this time to write, other times I make lists of things I'd like to do and set project goals for my home, school, or crafts. Sometimes I even think about work! Feeling sorry for yourself will only make things worse. Take the time to dosomething for you. You deserve it more than anyone else!

Until our next cup of tea,

What a Tea-riffic holiday

Well, as many of you know, I love tea. Anything and everything about tea. I'm even working on stitching some tea towels with teacups, but that's another post.

Well, this year, friends and family added to that collection, some because they were aware of my passion (thank's G and MD) and some by accident. So here are my goodies ...



This beautiful Brighton night light is from George's and my "other couple half" is something like that exists. (They complete us ... Ha! Ha!) G and MD gave this to me on the 19th when we exchanged presents. George and I got the a brushed metal bar set with a bottle of Pitron. They loved it. I also gave MD two different sets of 4 icecream bowls and set of 4 float glasses that go with their 50s-style kitchen theme.



This is a Assam Teapot given to me as a present by my step-father's mom. I also got a collection of teas, but she said she didn't know that I collected teacups, she just hoped it would be something I liked. I had never heard of these types of teapots considering the ones I collect are the "classic", but it is a glass teapot with a cansister for loose tea. After putting the loose tea in you pour boiling water into the pot and it steeps until you squeeze the loose leaves down with the press, leaving behind the tea at your desired strength. I hope I have this right, but I'll have to ask the resident reader tea expert, Alice, to be certain.



Then as a present to myself I bought these two pink glasses at Hobby Lobby. They were for Valentine's Day (I know, already!) but they seemed to work with my comfy French country look in the dining as a compliment of the more elegant look of the kitchen, but that's a different post because there are some things I'm redoing in there and I'd love your opinions. The darker pink/burgandy one I got at the Dollar Store for my desk at the office. I drink coffee when it's cold outside and tea (lighter) when it's warmer outside. It was such a beautiful color, I had to have it and it was only $1.



This is one was a bit of a surprise for me. At my mother's Christmas party my granmother gave my brother and his wife as well as each of his girls envelopes with money. However, I didn't get anything. I honestly left the party feeling like crap. The next day my aunt asked me to meet the entire family for lunch before my brother and his family left. Later my mom asked if I could pick up my grandmother for lunch. When I got to her house she had a plastic bag with two "pretty, but not really me" embroidered shirts. She said she had given my brother and SIL "a couple hundred dollars" at the party but she forgot to bring the two shirts she had bought for me. Made me feel even worse. Then she said that she had found this child's tea set that she had bought when I was a child, but she never had the chance to give it to me because my parents divorced any my dad got custody. I dutifully thanked her, and genuinely loved the teaset, but felt slighted. I was really hurt by it and thought about it off and on all day. But later that night, I gained a new perspective. My brother and SIL needed the mony, they always have and that has always been what they were given. Years from now, when I look at money I will not think of all the memories of my grandmother that I cherished, but I will when I see the tea set.

So in all, it was a great holiday. Once I get home from visiting my dad's family, I will finally be able to sit down and get settled in. I guess that's when I'll finally get to relax!

A holiday review ...

Hi all! I hope you all had a great holiday and ate to you're heart's content (although our waist lines may now be complaining!)

The holidays were definately different this year with George gone. The drama was low compared to most years as my aunt had baby 3 months ago so she was the center of attention. Although, my poor father-in-law seems to think it was filled with all sorts of drama and I didn;t have the heart to tell him this was a good year!

I was a bit overwhelmed by my family. They seemed to think that since George was gone, I wouldn't need to spend much time with his family so they called me alomst daily to join them in some sort of activity. I tried to say I was busy but that just turned into guilt from them. It was hard because I was really banking on spending a few of those days in my pjs on the sofa with the puppy.

I wish I could have spend more time with his best friend G and his future bride MD (dude, get her a ring already!) We had a few days of fun and I spent New Years at their house playing drunk Monopoly (you just had to have been there!)

I also had the chance to grab dinner with some friends from college. They too were/are military couples so it was fun to spend an evening with people who understand. We shared stories of then and now and had fun catching up.



One of my closest friends from college was E (left). We would spend countless hours making fun of the rotating door of girlfriends that other cadets brought to the parties, had "girl's beauty time" whenever there was a military ball, and showed the boys who was really in charge when they needed to be reminded. Her husband was deployed for 16 months before leaving the Army, so if anyone knows what I'm going through, that's my girl. On top of it they were stationed in Alaska, so she was "on her own" so to speak, although both of their families are amazingly supportive of them.

I also had the chance to catch up with some old friends from my hometown. It was a complicated relationship. The parents were a substitite for my own parents' lack of support during college, I used to babysit their two girls who are now 12 I think, and I was friends with their older son (even had a crush for a while.) It had been about 4 years sonce I last saw them and now I talk to the younger son more and we realized that all those year (nearly 15) we both had some of the same dreams, goals and sense of adventure and sometimes I regret that we didn't figure it out sooner. I thought he was a great "kid" then, but now realize he has to potiental to be a great friend. Ah, the lessons we learn fro our youth!

There were about 5 Christmas parties in 10 days and I was exhausted. That didn't include my usual CHristmas gift of a small shopping spree (get all the things I need that I can't find here in the near desolate land of Polk). I got a new phone (finally!) because my old one was getting to be a pain with dropped calls, refusing to charge and not ringing. I also picked up a small camera to carry with me so I never miss a photo opportunity.

All in all it was fun, but I am glad to be home. But it's not over. This weekend I am traveling with the pup to Baton ROuge to visit my Dad's side of the family. It's been about 3 years and I am anxious to see my grandparent's, especially my grandfather. I've come to appreciate his quite, serious personality over the past few years and regret not visiting more.

Well, that's the recap of the holiday activities. I had fun hanging out with my brother's girls most of all and look forward to seeing them again this weekend. But now, I guess it's time to start packing again.

Until our next cup of tea ...